Set in A.D. 878, Cornwell's splendid third Saxon novel (after The Pale Horseman
and The Last Kingdom
) chronicles the adventures of 21-year-old Saxon warrior Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who believes "my swords could win me the whole world." Uhtred, who despite his Danish upbringing supported King Alfred of Wessex in the fight against the Danes in The Pale Horseman
, helps free Guthred, an enslaved Dane, who proclaims himself king of Northumbria. "Fate is inexorable," Uhtred constantly bemoans as he attempts to destroy such enemies as Kjartan the Cruel, Sven the One-Eyed and Ælfric (Uhtred's thief of an uncle) and woos his beloved Gisela, Guthred's Valkyrie-like sister. Uhtred must overcome many challenges, notably King Guthred's shocking betrayal that leads to Uhtred's spending two years as a shipboard slave. Cornwell, best known for his Sharpe series (Sharpe's Battle
, etc.), breathes life into ancient history with disarming ease, peppering it with humor and even innocence. (Jan.)
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Reviewed on: 10/23/2006
Release date: 01/01/2007
Genre: Fiction
Hardcover - 5 pages - 9780007221042
Other - 352 pages - 9780061801891
Paperback - 332 pages - 9780061149047
Peanut Press/Palm Reader - 352 pages - 9780061259982
Other - 352 pages - 9780061260285
Open Ebook - 352 pages - 9780061259951
Paperback - 512 pages - 9780060888633
Hardcover - 317 pages - 9780060888626